The Journey... To the Philippines!

"Something will not go as planned, just be ready for that."  I heard this phrase over and over, until I thought I might go crazy, but the truth of it went to more of an extreme than I've ever seen. The weeks before the wedding had been fluctuating between hot, rainy, and cool. The week of the wedding a storm came in, bringing non-stop heavy rains and wind. Our garden venue for the ceremony was flooded, and even the reception pavilion was wet due to the wind blowing in the rain. To say a couple of things changed is an understatement. The rehearsal day turned into a scramble to come up with a completely new plan for the ceremony and reception. I am so grateful for my amazing family and their ability to keep me grounded amidst the chaos! With their help, along with my Go To Nations family, our coordinator, and decorator, we were able to change to a new location, and somehow end up with an absolutely beautiful ceremony and reception!  Finally rehearsing the ceremony ...

     "Did you know that Jesus is God? So when He chose to come to earth and be human, He was leaving everything! His power, the angels worshiping Him, all the beauty of heaven!" The gasp from the children was audible, and their eyes widened in shock. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly children can grasp the awe of Jesus' choice to leave heaven for us.      Throughout the last few years, the Sonshine Center has formed a unique relationship with a private school here in Iloilo City. We've been given the privilege of hosting several semester-break camps with their 4th to 6th graders, and several day camps with their 1st to 3rd graders. This year we had a new opportunity to host a chapel hour every quarter at the school for all the children, 1st to 6th grades! We hosted our first chapel hour this past month, and I was asked to lead the team that would minister. It was a wonderful time of playing, singing, and dancing with the children, as well as teachin...

Sonshine Center Summer Camp 2017! On the first day of camp, the children started lining up before it was time, and no one had told them to line up! I guess they were just too excited to get camp started! The skit is always a huge hit! This year's theme was Kingdom Quest. It's about a young prince who's father was the Bad King, and how he discovered that it's better to be kind, and help others, instead of bullying and stealing. We had amazing times of prayer and worship with the children as the learned about Identity, Forgiveness, and choosing to be part of God's Kingdom. The memory verse they learned is Ephesians 5:8 "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light." The small group times were times for the children to discuss how each lesson applied to them, and how they could walk it out in their every day life.

 This moment was beautiful.  After our lesson time during Saturday Kid's Club, the young man leading the lesson had a time for prayer. As I watched, the young people began to disperse among the children, laying hands on them and praying. Then this young lady walked up to one of the older children, put her arms around her, and quietly prayed as the girl wept. The time was powerful, touching not only the children but also our leaders. While there are always more ways to grow, I was so proud that day to see our young people following the Spirit's leading, allowing God to love the children through them, and also listening as God spoke into their own hearts. While the team from Camp Sonshine Maryland was here, we had a Sonshine Center staff retreat. During the retreat, one of our newest staff members was baptized! She accepted Jesus only a few years ago, was discipled by one of our young people, is now a staff member, and will soon become a Kindergarten teacher at the Sons...

 The short term team helped prepare the food for feeding program one day. Their biggest adventure was learning how to get the soup and rice into little plastic baggies.  Two of them were able to share a Bible study with the mothers after helping cook. The Jr. LITs did a fantastic job running Kid's club even without the Sr. LITs! We were able to have a banquet for the young people as a reward for their hard work over the past year! Preparing the food for an outreach to several new neighborhoods! Our Christmas events were a huge success! We had a Christmas Caroling contest, along with Christmas parties for adults and children! The kids loved the cotton candy machine!

 Enjoying some free time by playing Dutch Blitz! Coffee is always a good way to relax and enjoy some conversation. We enjoyed having our Regional Director there to encourage and challenge us. Fellowshipping with some of our GTN missionaries from different areas in the Philippines. This was our group in the Sports workshop, along with their "coach" Allan The Arts workshop was the largest, led by Glydel Music was led by our LIT worship leader Zac, and the Jrs he has taught  to play and sing. We were so blessed by God's presence and love during the worship night!  Although it may be early for Americans, here in the Philippines they begin decorating for Christmas in September! So my roommate and I finally decorated at the end of October. Christmas decorating must be followed with a good old classic Christmas movie! White Christmas is a favorite.